DO I USE 9-1-1 TOREPORT A CARALARMGOINGOFFINTHEMIDDLEOFTHENIGHT?

No. You should use your Police Department’s regular seven digit number for such non -emergencies. 9-1-1 is not to be used for snow plowing, weather reports, traffic information, directions, or similar non-emergencies.

WHOANSWERSMY 9-1-I CALL?

WHATIF I AMDISCONNECTEDORCANNOTSPEAKTOTHECALLTAKER?

The 9-1-1 Center will call you back and if there is no answer they will dispatch a police vehicle to your location to make sure everything is okay.

HOWDOES 9-1-1 KNOWWHERE I AM?

9-1-1 is a telephone based service. Therefore, when your telephone company connected your telephone they obtained your name and address information. This information is provided to 9-1-1 for official use only.

WHATIF I AMUNABLETOTELLTHECALLTAKERWHERE I AM?

The enhanced 9-1-1 system will automatically provide the call taker with your name, telephone number, address, and Emergency Service Providers for your location.

Dispatchers also verify this information - to ensure that they are sending help to the correct location.

DO I HAVETODIAL “E-9-1-1”?

No. The “E” stands for Enhanced and is used only to distinguish it from other 9-1-1 systems. Just dial the numbers 9-1-1 and you will be connected to the 9-1-1 Center.

CAN I CALL 9-1-1 FROM A PAYPHONE?

Yes. When you call 9-1-1 from a pay phone the call is “free” no change is required. Simply pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1 and wait for the call taker to answer your call. You must stay on the line to assist the call taker in responding to your location.

CAN I USEMYCELLULARPHONETOCALL 9-1-1?

Yes. Calls made from personal cellular phones are also free. Trained Putnam County Emergency Service Dispatchers will answer your call - therefore, just like calling from a pay phone, it is important that you remain on the phone line to assist the call taker in finding your exact location.

WHATIF I HAVECALLBLOCKINGORANUNLISTEDTELEPHONENUMBER?

Since 9-1-1 is an emergency only system, these telephone features will be overridden in the interest of public safety.

WHATIF I DIAL 9-1-1 ANDCANNOTSPEAK?

If for any reason you are unable to speak to the call taker, the 9-1-1 Center will automatically dispatch a patrol car to your location. If a foreign language is spoken the dispatcher will connect up with an interpreter and communicate with the caller to send the appropriate emergency service.

HOWCAN I ASSISTTHEEMERGENCYSERVICESINFINDINGMYADDRESS?

You must conspicuously post your house or building address number in a location visible from the street. Numbers should be at least 4 inches high and posted on both sides of the mailbox, gate post, fence or other clearly visible location and at the entrance to the house or building. If possible the numbers should be made of a reflective material for nighttime visibility.

CANTHEDEAF&HEARINGORSPEECHIMPAIREDUSE 9-1-1?

Yes. The 9-1-1 Center is equipped with a “Telecommunications Device for the Deaf’ (TDDITTY). Simply dial 9-1-1 and then press the TTY Announcement Key (space bar) to connect to the system. The 911 center is also equipped with this equipment.

WHATIF I CANNOTPRESSTHESPACEBAR?

The 9-1-1 Center will attempt to connect to your Try and if they cannot, they will dispatch a police vehicle to your location.

CAN I USE 9-1-1 IF I DONOTSPEAKENGLISH?

Yes. The 9-1-1 Center (PSAP) has the ability to use an Interpreter Service. The only things you need to remember is dial 9-1-1 and tell the call taker the language you desire - and hang on for the service and communications.

WHATIF I AMRENTINGANDDONOTKNOWMYCORRECTADDRESS?

You should contact the property owner or landlord. They have been notified of your correct address.

CAN I DIAL 9-1-1 TOCHECKMYADDRESS?

No. Only dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Contact the Office of Emergency Management (808-4000) if you have questions pertaining to your address or the 9-1-1 system.

WHATIF I MOVEORHAVEANADDRESSCHANGE?

You must contact Verizon (or your phone carrier) and give them your new address so that they may correctly update the 9-1-1 address database.